Kelly Slater is the most successful pro surfer of all time. With 11 world surfing titles under his belt, the Floridian is also one the most popular athletes on the planet.
Today, Slater is more than just a surfer. He's an active activist for environmental causes, a philanthropist, and a successful entrepreneur.
Kelly Slater's artificial surf pool system will change the future of the sport, but when it comes to competing and winning titles, he's not done yet. The Floridian says he will surf Pipeline until he's 90.
The Kelly Slater world is rich, deep, vibrant and colorful. As an athlete, he's the past, present, and future of surfing. As a man, he a savvy gentleman with a wide variety of tastes and preferences.
Kelly Slater has improved the sport of surfing and continues to help refine the surfers' reputation. So without further ado, let's take a look at a few facts you likely didn't know about the greatest surfer of all time:
When and where was Robert Kelly Slater born?
He was born on the 11th February 1972, in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
He was born on the 11th February 1972, in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
When did Kelly Slater appear in Baywatch?
The pro surfer starred in 27 Baywatch episodes between 1992 and 1996. He played the role of Jimmy Slade.
The pro surfer starred in 27 Baywatch episodes between 1992 and 1996. He played the role of Jimmy Slade.
Who are his parents?
Kelly Slater is the son of Stephen Slater and Judy Moriarity. His father was a bait-and-tackle shop owner, and his mother was an emergency medical technician (EMT) and firefighter.
Kelly Slater is the son of Stephen Slater and Judy Moriarity. His father was a bait-and-tackle shop owner, and his mother was an emergency medical technician (EMT) and firefighter.
Does he have brothers and sisters?
Yes. Kelly Salter has a younger brother, Stephen, and an older brother, Sean.
Yes. Kelly Salter has a younger brother, Stephen, and an older brother, Sean.
When did Kelly Slater begin to surf?
He started surfing at the age of five with a bodyboard with fins. He stood up and surfed on that board for years.
He started surfing at the age of five with a bodyboard with fins. He stood up and surfed on that board for years.
Is he goofy or regular?
Kelly Slater is a natural footer, but he can easily switch stance.
Kelly Slater is a natural footer, but he can easily switch stance.
What are his height and weight?
Kelly Slater is 5'9'' and weighs approximately 160 pounds (72.5 kilograms).
Kelly Slater is 5'9'' and weighs approximately 160 pounds (72.5 kilograms).
Does he have kids?
Kelly Slater has a daughter named Taylor. She was born in 1996.
Kelly Slater has a daughter named Taylor. She was born in 1996.
What are Kelly Slater's nicknames?
The King, Slates, Kells, King Kelly.
The King, Slates, Kells, King Kelly.
When did Kelly Slater get his first surfboard?
He got his first surfboard in 1980.
He got his first surfboard in 1980.
Who are his favorite bodyboarders?
Kelly Slater's favorite boogieboarders are Mike Stewart and Damien Martin.
Kelly Slater's favorite boogieboarders are Mike Stewart and Damien Martin.
Did he ever win the United States Surfing Championships?
Yes. He won two Menehune titles, and two Boys titles.
Yes. He won two Menehune titles, and two Boys titles.
When did Slater turn pro?
Kelly turned pro at the age of 18 and immediately won the 1990 Body Glove Surfbout, in Trestles, California. However, he finished his rookie world tour year ranked 43rd.
Kelly turned pro at the age of 18 and immediately won the 1990 Body Glove Surfbout, in Trestles, California. However, he finished his rookie world tour year ranked 43rd.
What was his first movie?
He first sponsor-funded film was "Kelly Slater in Black and White."
He first sponsor-funded film was "Kelly Slater in Black and White."
Has he ever posed nude?
Yes. Kelly Slater posed naked for ESPN's Body Issue.
Yes. Kelly Slater posed naked for ESPN's Body Issue.
Was he ever in a band?
Yes. Kelly Slater joined Rob Machado and Peter King in a band called The Surfers.
Yes. Kelly Slater joined Rob Machado and Peter King in a band called The Surfers.
Where did Slater buy his first apartment?
Kelly bought his first flat in Australia when he was 20.
Kelly bought his first flat in Australia when he was 20.
What do Kelly Slater and Andy Warhol have in common?
The surfer made the cover of Warhol's magazine in 1996. The headline told: "Half Fish Total Dish: This Guy Could Save Our Water."
The surfer made the cover of Warhol's magazine in 1996. The headline told: "Half Fish Total Dish: This Guy Could Save Our Water."
What's the name of Kelly Slater's clothing brand?
His fashion label is Outerknown.
His fashion label is Outerknown.
For how long did he ride for Quiksilver?
Kelly Slater signed a six-figure contract with the brand in 1990 and only split with Quiksilver in 2014.
Kelly Slater signed a six-figure contract with the brand in 1990 and only split with Quiksilver in 2014.
How wealthy is the greatest pro surfer of all time?
Kelly Slater has an estimated fortune of over $20 million.
Kelly Slater has an estimated fortune of over $20 million.
When did Slater win his first world surfing title?
He won his first ASP World Tour title in 1992 when he was 20 years old.
He won his first ASP World Tour title in 1992 when he was 20 years old.
What is Kelly Slater's favorite surf spot?
His favorite surf break is Cloudbreak, in Fiji.
His favorite surf break is Cloudbreak, in Fiji.
Who were his biggest rivals of all time?
Kelly Slater's biggest rival was Andy Irons, but Tom Curren and Mark Occhilupo were also fierce opponents.
Kelly Slater's biggest rival was Andy Irons, but Tom Curren and Mark Occhilupo were also fierce opponents.
How many times did Kelly Slater win the Billabong Pipeline Masters?
He won the event eight times (1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2008, and 2013).
He won the event eight times (1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2008, and 2013).
Who are his ex-girlfriends?
In the past, Kelly Slater dated Pamela Anderson, Gisele Bündchen, Cameron Diaz, and Bar Rafaeli.
In the past, Kelly Slater dated Pamela Anderson, Gisele Bündchen, Cameron Diaz, and Bar Rafaeli.
What was one of the most dangerous wipeouts he ever suffered?
Kelly Slater almost drowned in Capbreton in France, during the 2015 Quiksilver Pro France.
Kelly Slater almost drowned in Capbreton in France, during the 2015 Quiksilver Pro France.
What are his favorite foods and drinks?
Kelly Slater loves Indonesian flavors and adores smoothies and red wine. He is an avid organic food supporter, and he rarely drinks alcohol.
Kelly Slater loves Indonesian flavors and adores smoothies and red wine. He is an avid organic food supporter, and he rarely drinks alcohol.
What is Kelly Slater's favorite movie?
The Floridian pro surfer loves "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory."
The Floridian pro surfer loves "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory."
What did he want to be when he grew up?
Kelly Slater wanted to be a professional ventriloquist. After that, he wanted to be an actor, or a comedian, because he thought Steve Martin funny.
Kelly Slater wanted to be a professional ventriloquist. After that, he wanted to be an actor, or a comedian, because he thought Steve Martin funny.
Does Kelly Slater have famous friends?
Yes. He is often seen playing guitar with Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam, and he is a close friend of Jack Johnson.
Yes. He is often seen playing guitar with Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam, and he is a close friend of Jack Johnson.
What are Kelly Slater's favorite hobbies?
Kelly Slater enjoys golfing (his handicap is +2), playing guitar with friends, composing music, and martial arts.
Kelly Slater enjoys golfing (his handicap is +2), playing guitar with friends, composing music, and martial arts.
Has Kelly Slater ever been in a video game?
Yes. Actually, he named a console video game for the PlayStation 2 and XBox. It was called "Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer," and it is considered one of the best surfing games of all time.
Yes. Actually, he named a console video game for the PlayStation 2 and XBox. It was called "Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer," and it is considered one of the best surfing games of all time.
Has any biography of Kelly Slater been published?
Yes. The life of Kelly Slater has been revealed in "Pipe Dreams: A Surfer's Journey" and "Kelly Slater: For the Love."
Yes. The life of Kelly Slater has been revealed in "Pipe Dreams: A Surfer's Journey" and "Kelly Slater: For the Love."
How many Perfect 20 heats has he scored?
Kelly Slater has had three Perfect 20 heats in his career. Two of them were scored at Teahupoo, and one at Cloudbreak.
Kelly Slater has had three Perfect 20 heats in his career. Two of them were scored at Teahupoo, and one at Cloudbreak.
Who's his favorite band?
Kelly Slater likes Little Dragon.
Kelly Slater likes Little Dragon.
What is his best-known aerial move?
Kelly Slater pulled an unforgettable 540 air in Peniche, Portugal, in 2014
Kelly Slater pulled an unforgettable 540 air in Peniche, Portugal, in 2014
